‘Annie Get Your Gun’ charming, energetic

By GALEN HAWTHORNE, Special to The Ledger | Jul 24, 2013

CEVIN CHURCHILL/Submitted photoMiranda West and Ryan Gaffney, as Winnie and Tommie. rehearse a scene from Way Off Broadway’s production of “Annie Get Your Gun.” The show is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center’s Stephen Sondheim Center for the Performing Arts.

Way Off Broadway’s newest production, “Annie Get Your Gun,” is a charming musical with the energy to beat even the traveling variety shows it depicts.

From the dynamite opening number all the way to the close, audiences of all ages will be totally enthralled by its catchy tunes, vibrant costumes, and on-point singing, dancing and acting.

Jenna Murphy plays Annie Oakley, a rambunctious and boastful hillbilly sharpshooter turned world-class novelty by Frank Butler, her love interest who often lets his vanity get the best of him, played brilliantly by David Malis. Their competitions on and off the shooting range fuel an exciting musical that runs all the way to Europe and back in the space of a delightful evening (or afternoon) at the Sondheim Center. Choreographer David Marquez fills the stage with energetic bodies, jumping, tumbling, dancing and running all over to create a spectacle worthy of seeing twice.

Under Chaz Wiliams-Ali’s musical direction the actors’ singing voices bloom powerfully, even while undertaking the difficult task of keeping up an accent.

Director Randal K. West stages it superbly, with huge moving sets and a dash of magic from the projection screen.

With the help of WOB favorites Ryan Gaffney, Evan Tyrone Martin and Brendan Thomas as well as some new faces and a colorful ensemble, the stage is filled with a bright-shining and energetic, unmissable display of showmanship that will have you laughing, grinning, and singing along ’til the cows come home.